THEA THEA Reading 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The scientist examined the anomaly with great interest, noting that it contradicted every prior model.' What does 'anomaly' most likely mean in this context?
- A standard expected result
- An unusual occurrence that departs from the norm (Correct answer)
- A controlled experiment
- A mathematical formula
Correct answer: An unusual occurrence that departs from the norm
'Anomaly' refers to something that deviates from what is expected or normal, supported by the phrase 'contradicted every prior model.'
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the author's purpose in a passage that lists statistics about declining literacy rates followed by a call for education reform?
- To entertain readers with surprising facts
- To persuade readers that education policy must change (Correct answer)
- To compare two different school systems
- To define the term 'literacy'
Correct answer: To persuade readers that education policy must change
Using statistics to support a call for change is a persuasive purpose.
Question 3: A student reads a passage about climate change and notices the author only cites sources that support one viewpoint. This is an example of which reading comprehension concern?
- Figurative language
- Biased presentation of evidence (Correct answer)
- Effective use of transitions
- Strong thesis statement
Correct answer: Biased presentation of evidence
Presenting only one side of an argument by selecting supporting sources is a form of bias.
Question 4: In the sentence 'Her smile was a fleeting ghost, vanishing before anyone could be sure it had appeared,' what literary device is used?
- Simile
- Personification
- Metaphor (Correct answer)
- Alliteration
Correct answer: Metaphor
Calling her smile 'a fleeting ghost' directly equates two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' making it a metaphor.
Question 5: A passage's concluding paragraph restates the main argument and summarizes key supporting points. What is the primary function of this paragraph?
- To introduce new counterarguments
- To provide additional statistical data
- To reinforce and synthesize the passage's central ideas (Correct answer)
- To shift the topic to a new subject
Correct answer: To reinforce and synthesize the passage's central ideas
A conclusion's role is to reinforce the main argument and bring together the supporting points presented earlier.
Question 6: The word 'pragmatic' in the sentence 'She took a pragmatic approach, focusing on what could realistically be achieved' most nearly means:
- Idealistic
- Practical and results-oriented (Correct answer)
- Pessimistic
- Theoretical
Correct answer: Practical and results-oriented
'Pragmatic' means dealing with things in a practical, realistic way rather than ideally or theoretically.
Question 7: A reader identifies that a passage moves from describing a problem, to analyzing its causes, to proposing solutions. What organizational pattern is this?
- Chronological order
- Compare and contrast
- Problem-cause-solution (Correct answer)
- Spatial order
Correct answer: Problem-cause-solution
Moving from problem identification through cause analysis to proposed solutions is the problem-cause-solution organizational pattern.
THEA THEA Reading 2
A passage states: 'The scientist examined the anomaly with great interest, noting that it contradicted every prior model.' What does 'anomaly' most likely mean in this context?